I turn around and head to the lawn. Guests are mingling. McKenna and Westley are there already. My brothers and I gather with Mom and Dad. Bryce shoots a bunch of shots and then the wedding party joins us, but we’re separated—groomsmen and then bridesmaids.
When the photo shoot is almost over, I start to walk toward Carli.
Blaire holds her finger in the air and says, “Okay, everyone, I need you to head straight into the barn. We’ll have the first dance, toasts and then dinner can be served. We don’t want the guests getting restless.”
Carli smiles over at me and shrugs.
I practically laugh. It feels like I won’t be able to get within twenty feet of her for the rest of the night. If this is karma, I’m not a fan.
McKenna and Westley have their first dance. The wedding party is consigned to the same seats we had during the reception, which means Carli might as well be a mile away on the other side of the barn. Dinner is served, a catered meal, so we all remain seated.
We take turns giving speeches for the toasts during themeal. My brothers and I do a group toast which ends up drawing a lot of laughs.
After dinner, all the guests remain seated while McKenna and Dad have the Father/Bride dance and then Westley and his mom do a really fun Groom/Mother dance with a bunch of moves that look like they’re straight off TikTok. When the wedding party joins the dance floor, we have to dance with the bridesmaid we escorted down the aisle, so I end up dancing with Winona while Benji holds Carli and sways to the music.
I’m not a jealous man. And I’m not jealous of Benji. But I am jealous of his hand, the way he places it on her back. That should be my hand. And I’m jealous of the palm that’s respectfully holding her other hand. I should be touching her now. And I’m jealous of the polite smile she’s giving him. She should be smiling at me. I sway Winona and she teases me about Carli.
“Eyes on me, Cody.” She giggles.
“Happy to be your entertainment tonight, Winona.”
“You are!” She laughs again. “This is payback for you two keeping the rest of us in the dark.”
“Wait ‘til you love someone,” I threaten—but it’s an empty threat and she knows it.
I hope the whole world falls in love. I just want Carli in my arms before the night is out.
The song winds down and the DJ starts the next one. He shouts, “Okay, everyone! Let’s get this party started!” and finally, we’re allowed to mingle. I look around for Blaire or Bryce. No one’s heading my way to cut me off.
I glance at Jace. His face is an impenetrable mask. I take a breath and cross the room.
McKenna walks toward the stage where the band and DJ are set up for the night.
I step up next to Carli. She gasps when I take her hand in mine. Then she turns and smiles at me.
I lead her toward the front of the barn where the band and DJ are set up.
“May I have the mic?” McKenna asks the DJ.
“What’s going on?” Carli asks.
The DJ hands the mic over to McKenna and dims the music. She nods at me with a wide smile, handing the mic out to me and walking back to Westley. He pulls her into his side.
The room quiets, conversations stilling and all eyes fixing on me and Carli.
“What are you doing?” Carli whispers.
I drop to one knee.
Her hand flies up to her mouth.
I bring the mic to my mouth and say, “Carli Buckner, I love you. And I have something I want to ask you tonight—here, in front of everyone.”
Her eyes go wide. She might kill me for this later. But we’ve been in hiding too long.
I smile up at her. “My life is better because you’re in it. I’m a better man because of you. Will you be my girlfriend?”
“Your …” She bursts out laughing. And then she shouts, “Yes!”
